in the year of our Lord God
MCCCCCXXIX., and in the 21st year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King
Henry VIII., I, Thomas Cromwell, of London, Gentleman, being whole in body
and in good and perfect memory, lauded be the Holy Trinity, make, ordain,
and declare this my present testament, containing my last will, in manner
as following:--First I bequeath my soul to the great God of heaven, my
Maker, Creator, and Redeemer, beseeching the most glorious Virgin and
blessed Lady Saint Mary the Virgin and Mother, with all the holy company of
heaven, to be mediators and intercessors for me to the Holy Trinity, so
that I may be able, when it shall please Almighty God to call me out of
this miserable world and transitory life, to inherit the kingdom of heaven
amongst the number of good Christian people; and whensoever I shall depart
this present life I bequeath my body to be buried where it shall please God
to ordain me to die, and to be ordered after the discretion of mine
executors undernamed. And for my goods which our Lord hath lent me in this
world, I will shall be ordered and disposed in manner and form as hereafter
shall ensue. First I give and bequeath unto my son Gregory Cromwell six
hundred threescore six pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence, of lawful
money of England, with the which six hundred threescore six pounds,
thirteen shillings, and fourpence, I will mine executors undernamed
immediately or as soon as they conveniently may after my decease, shall
purchase lands, tenements, and hereditaments to the clear yearly value of
L33 6s. 8d. by the year above all charges and reprises to the use of my
said son Gregory, for term of his life; and after the decease of the said
Gregory to the heirs male of his body lawfully to be begotten, and for lack
of heirs male of the body of the said Gregory, lawfully begotten, to the
heirs general of his body lawfully begotten. And for lack of such heirs to
the right heirs of me the said Thomas Cromwell, in fee. I will also that
immediately and as soon as the said lands, tenements, and hereditaments
shall be so purchased after my death as is aforesaid by mine executors,
that the yearly profits thereof shall be wholly spent and employed in and
about the education and finding honestly of my said son Gregory, in virtue,
good learning, and manners, until such time as he shall come to the full
age of 24 years. During which time I heartily desire and require my said
executors to be good